Relationships Make Me Soar

It isn’t about how many friends I have on Facebook or how many followers I have on Twitter. It isn’t about my connections through Linked In or subscribers to my blog.

All of these things are great, but for me it really isn’t about the numbers. It’s about the real, live people behind those numbers. In case you’re a new reader or haven’t picked it up yet, I’m all about relationships. Statistical analysis (though it definitely has it’s place) and numbers in general (though my creditors would beg to differ) aren’t what life is all about.

Is it because I’m addicted that my email and Facebook windows remain open most of the day? I hope not. I think it’s because I love to connect with people. This isn’t in lieu of spending time with them in person. I like to do that too.

As a personal trainer, I loved developing exercise programs for my clients. But more than that, I loved spending time encouraging them, letting them know they were valuable just the way they were. There are many reasons to exercise, but getting thinner and stronger does not give one more worth as a human being.

And, as a birth doula, I can’t imagine a greater privilege than educating expectant couples about their options and being their when their little one makes an appearance. When birth ceases to bring tears to my eyes and a sense of wonder to my heart, it’s time to find a different line of work.

As a writer, it’s about connecting with my readers, encouraging them, blessing them. As an editor, it’s not just about polishing my clients’ writing. It’s about pointing out what I appreciate about their work, what they’ve done well, what I would highlight in a print version of their work.

Now, there is something you need to know. I am, by nature, an incredibly selfish and self-centred person. Any admirable qualities in my life are because of one thing and one thing only: Jesus Christ paid the price for my selfishness and because of that, I am what the Bible calls “a new creation.”

Good relationships and the opportunity to bless others makes me soar. How about you? Remember, if we pursue who we were created to be and what we were created to do, we all benefit. Blessings as you soar.